Potato-harvester.



E. P. KENDALL. POTATO HARVESTER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 21,1912.

e snns-snzn 1.

Patented Sept. 26, 191 6.-

E. P. KENDALL.

POTATO HARVESTER.

APPLICATION men SEPT. 21, 1912.

PatentedSept. 26,1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2 APPLICATION FILED SEPT-27,1912.

E. P. KENDALL.

POTATO HARVESTER.

' Patefited Sept. 26,1916

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3. V

E. P. KENDALL. POTATO HARVESTER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 27. I9I2- Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

6 SHEETS SHEET 4.

E. P. KENDAL'L. vomb HARVESTER. APPLlCATlON FILED SEPT. 27. 1912.-

Patented Sept. 26,1916.

6 SHEETSSHEET 5.

E. P. KENDALL,

POTATO HARVESTER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT.2Z. 1912.

Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

nmrnn ema ns PATENT ornroni.

EDWARD P. KENDALL, OF BOWDQINHAM, MAINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 26; 1916.

fApplicatien filed September 27, 1912. Serial No. 722,722. v

To all whom it may concern. Be it known that I, EDWARD P. KENDALL,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Bowdoinham, in the county ofSagadahoc and State of Maine, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in and Relating to Potato-Harvesters, of which thefollowing is a specification. Y

This invention relates ,to apparatus for harvesting potatoes and has forits objectthe provision of apparatus capable of dig-' ging. or scoopingup the potatoesand other neighboring materials such as soil, vines,turfs and heavier solid substances such as rocks, and effecting aseparation of the potatoesfroin all the other materials referred to andfinally delivering the potatoes, preferably to a suitable receptacle.

To this end the invention consists inthe provision of apparatuscomprising means for diggingor scooping up the potatoes and the saidother materials, together withmeans arranged to receive said potatoesand other materials and capable. of taking advantage of the differingphysical characteristics' of the potatoes and the other materials dug uptherewith to effect the separation re ferred to.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood I have shown inthe accompanying drawings meansfor carrying the same into practicaleffect, without limiting my improvements, in their useful applications,to the particular 1 constructions which, for the sake of example, I havelllllS- I trated.

In said drawings :--Figure 1 is a side elevation of a potato harvester,embodying my invention, the same being shown v1ewe d from the ofiside'of the maclnne. Fig. 2 1s .a side view, partly in section, on a largerscale, looking from the near side of the machine, showing the, digger or"scoop, the screening conveyor and some of their related parts. Fig. 3is a plan view of the digger' or scoop, and the screening conveyer.

' Fig. 4 is a plan view of the elevating and transverse con'veyers, andthe means for receiving and bagging the separated potatoes.

Fig. 5 is arearfelevation of the same. Fig

6is'an elevation looking "from the near side of the machine, showing thetransverse conveyer'and its driving devices, and a portion of theelevating conveyer. Fig. 7 is a plan an endview of the same. Fig. 9 is aplan V ew of aportion of the transverse conveyer. Fig. 10 an edge viewof a portion of the upper run of the same, Fig. 11 is an end View of theparts shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 12

fnally through the transverse classifying conview of one of theelevating buckets. Fig; 8-

n n r u u ls'a longitudinal vertlcal section, v1ewed veyer and showingsome of the associated parts. Fig. l7 is a'plan view at the delivery endof the transverse conveyer. 'Fig. 18 is a perspective View ofsome of theparts at the delivery end of the transverse conveyer.

Referring to the drawings, '1 is a digging appliance or blade adapted toenter the earth to a point below the potatoes and to be propelledhorizontally, as by horse power, to

scoop up the potatoes with the neighboring.

earth'and vines, and such pebbles and stones as may be present. Thedigger 1 is secured, as by rivets to the frontlower end of angle irons 3which extend upwardly and rearwardly and form a part of the frame of themachine; The digger 1 is substantially of uniform width, its forwardcorners only being slightly rounded. This digger or knife 1 is'adapte'dto enter the earth beneath a hill of potatoes and scoop up and directthe potatoes and material in its path rearwardly with little ornotendency to crowd out the potatoes and dirt from the sides of the knifeor blade. In practice I have been using a knife about four andjone halfinches wide. 1

4: indicates bracing and seat supporting angle irons riveted to theirons 1 0 O and arching upward to the proper height; At the top they areunited by a cross bar 5 on which is fixed the drivers seat 6.

I 7 indicates substantially horizontal frame bars attached at their rearends to the frame angle irons 3 and extending forward and inward, theirfront ends 8 forming a means for the adjustable connection of the drafttongue 9. The latter may be short and adapted for the attachment at itsfront end of the double-tree of a team of horses.

10 indicates a brace bar which is attached at its ends to the frameparts 33, passing" up and over the frame bars 7.

11, 11 are side boards fixed on the bars 3.

3 indicates horizontal. frame bars attached at their front ends to thebars 3, connected by a rear cross bar l and united near their rear endswith the bars 3 by vertical braces 5. This frame is supported on across-axle v12 carried .by ground wheels 13 fixed on said axle, and theframe niay'tilt on the axle for the depression of the digger knife tothe desired depth, or to lift the diggerknife to the surface of or clearof the ground. Such tilting of the frame may be effected by raising orlowering the tongue 9 to raise or lower the point of draft. This iseffected by a hand lever 14 operating on a pivot 15. The latter hasbearings in a bracket 16 fixed on the brace 10.

17 is a toothed segment for locking the lever in a well known mannerafter it has been adjusted. The segment is mounted on the pivot 15 andis fixed to the frame by an arm 18 Which is attached to one of the bars7. The short arm 19 of the lever is connected" by link 20 to the rearend of the tongue 9, which is pivoted at 21 between the bars 7. Thelifting of the said links by the hand lever causes the front end of thetongue and the point of draft to be lowered and the digger knife 1raised, and a reverse operation of the parts causes the knife to bedepressed to the desired depth.

'22 1s a rotary metal guard, one at each side of the lower end of thedigger frame.

Each guard comprises a shaft 104: mounted in bearings 105, 106 on thedigger frame, on

which shaft are fixed wings 107 and a hand wheel 108. By the latter theguard may be turned on its axis to throw oil, to the ground, any largestone, orany collection of stones or'vines which may become lodgedagainst the guard.

23 is a sheet iron plate attached to the rear of the digger knife orblade 1 and having rearwardly extending tongues 'lhese tongues and thespaces between them are or may be about one inch wide. The potatoes.earth, etc., pass from the digger knife 1 at once over this plate and,while the potatoes will not pass'through the said spaces, a considerablequantity of the earth and pebbles is at once got rid ofbefore they reachthe weaves screening or sifting coni'eyer. The latter is 27 form thechains, the ends of the bareare bent into S-shaped links 109 integralvwith theirods, which links are booked into each other as shown. 'lhe bodof each rod between' its ends may be bent out of its axial line, oroffset, as shown at 110, (Fig. to better engage the material to be eleiAttheir forward lower ends the chains 27 are mounted on flanged pulleysthe journals of which are studs 29 fixed on the ma-- chine frame. Theupper ends of the chains are mounted on drii-ing sprocket wheels 30fixed on ashaft 31 mounted in suitable bearings on or under the diggerframe. The lower limb or run of the conveyer has some slack which isheld up by wheels 33 on a cross shaft I}! carried by brackets 3 attachedto the side members 11, .11. Also I support the upper limb or run of thecenveyer by wheels 3?) loose on a shaft 34% mounted in the frame bars 3.

indicates Slll'UCliQlki on the ends of the shaft 331 and driven bychains 35 from sprocli'ets '37 on a counter shaft- .iflie latter hasfixed on it a pinion 1-39 engaged and driven by a gear wheel 40 on theground wheel axle 12. The arrangement of the gearing and drivingconnections is such that the forward motion of the machine and retationof the/ground whi'aels will drive the upper limb or run of the conveyerrearwardly. The wheels'l -l may he provided with grouml-engagingprojections ll to prevent slippage and insure an ell'icient driving ofthe conveyor.

4-2, 43, L A indicate agitating springs arranged beneath the upper limbof the conveybr :25 so that the conveyer rods receive a vibratoryimpulse as they ride o er the free ends of the springs and snap offfr'omthe same, and each succeeding rod receives a. blow from the springsas they are released by a preceding rod. These springs are so arrangedrelative to the upper run of the conveyer 25 that their free ends aresuccessively engaged by the conveyor reds 2b as the rods traverseupwardly and rean wurdly during the operation of the mechanism. Thismovement of any rod in eng "e ment with the upper free end of any springtends to depress tlie free end of the spring and place it under tensionaccordance with the amount of such depression or deflection, so thatwhen the conveyor rod in material on that part of the conveyer andtending to breakup the clods'of earth and to cause the sameto throughthe conveyer to separate potatoes from the vines. The agibe screenedrapidly and at the same time tating springs are preferably arranged inpairs, and so as to act on different parts of the rods at. differentpoint'sralong the upper run f I of the conveyer. Thus, the pairof-springs 42,"

at the lower part of the conveyer, act beneath the middleparts of theconveyer rods, the

' pair of springs 43 at the upper part of the conveyer act near and theintermediate pair of springs 44 act on the rods between outer ends. Allparts of each rod are thus j their middles and their thoroughly agitatedin a peculiar manner by sharp movements and blows to shake the potatoesfrom 'At'one side of attachedto them crank arms 48 connected conveyedmaterial ready fortheir subsequent I separation and removal. The-springsare formedjwith lower return bends 45 which are, secured, as byriveting, to transverse angle irbns46 the ends of which are shaped asor'provided withjournals 47 mounted in bearings in or on the sidemembers 11, 11. the machine the irons 46 have .with a pitman or link 49by the longitudinal movement of which the'cranks are turned to tilt theirons. 46 and the agitating springs, thus causing,the; springs to bearwith the desired degree of pressure at their free endsagainst the undersides of the rods 26.

50 is a hand lever which is formed with or is attached to one ofthecrank arms 48,

' by which lever, thepitman g c v y 49 can be moved to operate andadjust all of the springs as above described. 1 Y

At its rear endthe conveyer 25 is arranged in juxtaposition tatoes,rocks, have notbeen separated from the potatoes. '51. is-a.hopper fixedon the lower end 0 "the elevator frame, which frame comprises sides 52,sills 53, posts 54 and cross pleces part this frame is axle65, on whichare fixed ground 1 wheels 66. 'At its front part the frame isprovidedwith a plate 67 which 1 rests on the 'nected at one.

front frame and is connected therewith by sides 52"is fixed a'bucketguide 58.

The bucket conveyer or elevator comprises a seriesof buckets 5.9, eachpivotally conwith two endless side 229 the outer ends of the rods,

-a l1ttle above its bottom 59 side 59" of the bucket, and

sustain the potatoes the vines: and separate foreign matter-from thepotatoes and cause 1 forms with the side 59 downward allowing 'from itsgrid, with possibly some stones,

to an endless bucket elevatetc, which are not below the and deliversthereinto the povines and all materials which f the carriers 71 andbucket, such I w and parts. of the vines cl nging on. or bea king bolt68. 'Between the chains 60 which run on driving sprockets 61. The latterare fixed on ashaft 62 mountof the frame. At their ed in the upper partthe chains 60 run on lower forward ends,

idler sprockets. or pulleys 63 mounted loosely to rotate on a shaft 64.The latter is mounted in the lower part of ,the elevator frame.

One edge of each bucket side 59 is bent into a sleeve 7 3 surrounding atransverse rod 74,

which rod is. attached at its ends to the slack, leaving between the twolimbs space for a transverse conveyor hereinafter de- 1SCI1bBd.

Each bucket 59 is provided with a grid at an angle both to said bottom59 and the transverse rods 69 spaced close enough to but to allow earthand and arranged preferably formed F t pebbles not yetseparated to siftdown dursing the elevating movement of the bucket and collect in thelower corner thereof between the bottom 59" and side 59*. Each grid isso disposed that the potatoeswill readily roll off from it the bucketdumps, but the tendency of other material is to remain on the grid. Thebottom 59 of 'each bucket a transverse corner or bend 7 O which rides oncontact between the bucket and the guide. On its side 59 each bucket isprovided with vine or weed carriers in the form of upstanding fingers orhooks 71 having at their lower ends plates 72 which are riveted to thebucket wall. These fingers. catch the vines as they fall from theconveyer 25 and carry them upward, the potatoes, stones, etc., settlingbelow the vines into the bottoms of the buckets. The guide 58 terminatesa certain distance below. the top of the bucket elevat0r,'and eachbucket leaves the said guide it swings the potatoes to roll ofi grid anddo not cling between its rods or do not otherwise remain in the. bucket.The vines'on the material left in the as sods and small tufts of grasstween the bars of the grid, etcl, are carried onwardand dumped at therear ofthe ma chine a's-the buckets turn over the shaft 62. As thebuckets return on the-lower limb or run of the conveyer they areprevented from falling therethrough, and arekept in .iine

with the chains by inward bucket-supporting projections 60, 60, fixed onthe chains.

the guide 58 with 1ninimum friction in that there is buta singletransverse line of The-shaft 62 with its driving sprockets and bucketconveyer is actuated by a chain 75 which connects a sprocket wheelZGfixed on said shaft with. a sprocket pinion 7'? fixed on a countersliaft78. mounted in bearings 79 on the elevator frame and has fixed thereon apinion 80,

whichmeshes with a gear wheel 81 on the ground wheel axle G5.

is a suitably supported shield arranged below the upper run of thebucket conveyor mechanism. The shield is declined downwardly in oppositedirections from its central longitudinal axis and serves to de- 'iectmaterial screened through the 'conveyer mechanism to either side of theapparatus.

82 is a transversely disposed endless conveyer and separator member,having its upper limbsubstantially horizontal andarranged below theupper limb of the bucket conveyer sons to receive the potatoes, stones,etc, which are spilled by the buckets as they leave the guide Whilethetransverse conveyer and sepa 'ator member 82 is showntransverse tothe longitudinal line of the machine, and this arrangement is a convenient one, this conveyer and separator member may receive and delivermaterial. in a rearward manner without necessarily being transverse inlocation. The conveyor and separator member '82 comprises a series ofU-shaped bars 82 attached at their opposite cnds to endless chains 83.Alternate bars 82 may be inverted to give a to the potatoes at thedelivery end 'Of the conveyor and separator member, to be here- Thesechains 83 are 84; fixed on a shaft 85, suitable"bearings 86 on theelevator f 'ame. At the other end of the conveyer the chains 83 aremounted on flanged pulleys 87 mounted loosely on a shaft 88. The latteris mounted in bearings 89 fixed on the elevator frame; The'shaft 85 hasfixed on it a belt pulley 90 through which it may be actuated from apulley 90, fixed on the gear wheel 81 or axle 65, by a belt or chain 87passing over guide pulleys inafter referred to. driven by sprocketswhich. is mounted in 83 indicates a supporting roller or sprocket, whichmay be provided for the front chain 83. It is preferablyarrangedsubstantially midwaybetweenthe ends of -theconveyor 82.

V ti vely small and pass over The delivery, end of the transverseconveyer anl separator member is or may be located ata little distancebeyond the-bucket conveyer, and the pulleys 87 are of reladiameter sothat the bars 82 turn quickly and sharply away from' the horizontalplane of conveyance as they reach the said pulleys. This movement throwst -ie'potatoes, which are rounded and elastic and tend to pull, alittlebeyond the end of the conveyor 82 and over the top edge of deflectors91, 91, but any lhe latter is.

free roll of it.

i as they meager will not be so thrown but will be carried downward anddropped on the other or inner side of the said deflectors, whence itslides to the ground. Also stones, being angular, for the most part, andrelatively heavy and inelastic, cling to the conveyer and are deliveredmore directly downward at the inner side of the deflectors. In manyinstances the edges of the bars 82 catch on the edges or projections ofthe stones and retain them close to the end of the conveyor-as itdelivers them;.or the stones will tend to sticlcbetween the bars 82.Also any tufts of grass and sods cling close to or partly between thebars 82 and drop directly down betweenv the deflectors and the conveyor.\Vhile the delivery end of the transverse conveyer and separator membermay pass, over a single pair of pulleys, I prefer to provide it with anadditional pair of pulleys 111 arranged a little lower and farther outthan the pulleys 87, thereby giving'a downward inclination of aboutdegrees to the end of the conveyer, as shown at 112, on which thepotatoes may roll and acquire a little more outward velocity, whileother material-will follow downward more slowly on the incline. Thisdilference in velocity promotes the desired separation of the potatoesfrom the other material. The potatoes as a rule will becollected alongthe rear part of the transverse conveyer and separator member 82 and thestones, as Well as the sods and tufts, along the front, part T his isbecause the stones or rocks remain on the transverse conveyerimmediately below their point of delivery from the dumping bucket, whilethe potatoes will bound back to the opposite or rear side. Thisseparation may be said to take place because the whole mass turns acorner, promoting the segregation of the different classes of-material.Along the front and rear edges of the transverse conveyer and separatormember are arranged guard plates 114l, 115 to confine the material onthehconveyer. The buckets 59 drag slightly over the guard 114 and thebottom of each succeeding bucket serves as a wall to arrest the potatoeson the conveyor are delivered from the preceding bucket. And thesucceeding buckets drag against any potatoes which may remain on thefront part of the conveyer and roll them totheir proper place on therear part of the conveyor.

of conveyed 'material catching any stones. The deflector 91' i-n linewith the collection of stones, on the conveyer and separator member 82may be made shorter, so that it terminates farther from the conveyer 82,thus giving more" room for the dropping of the stones with very littlechance of the potatoes. I prefer to make the deflectors 91, 91 separate,and to pivot them individually means of suitable bearings 99 fixed onthe upon a transverse rod 98 by through the space between the end of thevator frame and also supported on the axle conveyer and the deflectors.After thus turning, the deflectors return bygra-vity to the normalposition shown. In place of the deflectors 91, 91' a single deflector113 may be employed, as shown in Fig. 1.7, which inclines outward awayfrom the end of the conveyer, so as to leave a wider space where thestones are delivered. Beyond the said deflectors is or may be situatedany suitable receptacle for the potatoes. By preference Iprovide forbagging the potatoes 'onthe machine.

92, 93 are bagging hoppers supported on a frame 94 extending laterallyfrom the ele- 65. The two hoppers are both in.line with thetrans'.-,.erse conveyer and between themis mounted a switch plate, 95 ona horizontal axis 96. This plate may be inclined upwardly and inwardlyto a point at or near the top of the deflectors 91, 91, todirectpotatoes into the outer hopper 93, or it may be inclined upwardlyandoutwardly to direct them into the inner hopper 92.

The deflectors 91, 91 or 113 are so supported that'their lower endsoperate as weights tending to swing them into a vertical position. Thedeflectors are maintained in an inclined position by engagement with alimiting means, such as one side of the adjacent receptacle, ,as shownin Fig. 5, and when operated to permit the passage of arock, their lowerends cause them to return automatically to normal position.

. 97 isa seat fixed on the frame 9 1, for the operator who applies'bags,to be filled with potatoes, alternately to the two hoppers andglltieiginately ties and removes themas they are The plate 95 ispreferably in the form of a grid of bars 100 fixed in side pieces 101.Opposing the part 95 may be arranged grids 102, 103 at or partly withinthe mouths of the hoppers. The potatoes .will rebound from one grid toanother on their way to the hoppers While any stones or rocks which,

may escape separation to "this point will failing to collect all ofnecessary in the lodge between the bars of the grids and may be removedby hand by the bagging operator.

In operation, the digger knife 1 is directed Y to enter the ground andscoop up the potatoes which are grown in rows. I have 1n- I vented aknife which in actual practice tends to deliver the potatoes, earth,etc., quickly and directly to the screening conveyer with little or notendency to deflect any of the material or potatoes toward the sides ofthe machine in such manner that they will be thrown aside fromthescreening conveyer, as is the common tendency of all pointed blades orknives with which I am familiar. As soon asthe potatoes and othermaterial reach the screening conveyer, they are subjected to violentagitation in accordance with the adjustment of the agitating spripgs.

have found in actual practice that with the use of my agitating springstwo horses will. i

be able to do the work where four were absence of such springs.

This may be attributed to the fact that the screening action of thescreening conveyer is a rapid and eflicient one. The same amountv ofdirt, pebbles, small stones, etc.', is not carried up on myscreeningconveyer as has been my experience with all screening conveyers notprovided with my agitating springs- The greater the load or weight ofmaterial on the screening conveyer the more the power necessary toelevate such load orv propelthe' screening conveyer, and as this poweris derived from the ground and driving' wheels of the digging apparatus,the traction of the wheels must be sufficient, otherwise they will slipalong the ground instead of working. With my improved agitating springsI am enabled to dispense with the ordinary traction cleats or-spurs onthe ground and drive wheels and still use fewer horses -or less powerfor propelling the digger. In, addition to the above, the agitatingsprings facilitateand assist in the separation of the potatoesthemselves from the vines, the vibration imparted being suflicient toeffect such separation to'a highly satisfactory degree. e

The screening conveyer delivers the material on it to the endless bucketelevator, which in itself has screening characteristics for the-materialwhich it receives, in that the vines will rest upon the top of thebuckets, to'a large extent, allowing the potatoes, stones, dirt, etc.,to. drop into'the buckets proper. This relative arrangement of thematerials on the'endless bucket con- ,veyer is largely brought about atthe very time of their delivery thereto from the screeningconveyer andis due, I believe, to the relativearrangement of the two conveyers andthe mannerin which .the one discharges the materials to the other, aswell as to the differing physical icharacteristics stones, turfs, etc.as compared with the po-' tatoes which will readily roll off of thegrids. When the material within the buckets is delivered therefrom tothe transverse conveyer and separator member, such material has to turna corner. The heaviermasses, such as stones, are delivered to thistransverse conveyer and separator member and for the most part arrangethemselves along the front sides of the upper run ofthe conveyer,whereas the potatoes being more resilient become arranged or collectedat one side of the stones near the rear side of the transverse conveyerand separator member. The construction and arrangement of this member issuch as not only to facilitate a classification of material re- -ceivedby it on its upper run as justdescribed, but-the upper surface of theconveyer, formed as it is of U-shaped slats,

serves in the separation and classification of the'materials as they aredelivered at the end of this conveyer and separator member. The potatoesbeing more resilient and of a rounded conformation, tend to roll forwardand, as-hereinbefore explained, are thrown farther from the end of theconveyer'and fall at a greater distance therefrom than do the stones andmasses with higher specific gravity, and the turfs and sods cling to thebars of this separator and conveyer member and are discharged beneaththe machine. In actual practice I have found that very few stones aredelivered beyond the deflector plates 91, 91" or the deflector plate113, and where they succeed in getting over these plates, they aresubstantially'all arrested by the grids 100, 102, 103, where they may beremoved by the bagging operator.

It will of course be understood that in those potato digging andelevating appliances heretofore used in which the elevator is constructed so as to screen certain or: all of the earth from the potatoes,vines, etc, small pebbles or small stones may be screened in the processof elevation of the potatoes, vines, sods, etc, but that my inventionhas to do with the complete separation of potatoes from foreignsubstances dug up with them, including rocks or stones which are notscreened by any screening mechanism "for the soil and which for ezgamplemay be as large as some'of the potatoes to be harvested or larger, sinceit will be understood meager that if the rocks are as large or largerthan the potatoes, they will not be screened by any of the mechanismthrough which soil is screened and that in referring in the claims tostones or rocks, I mean those stones or rocks which are not screenedalong with the soil from the potatoes, vines, sods and grass.

To those skilled in the art of making apparatus of ,the class described,many alterations in construction and widely differing embodiment-sandapplications of my invention will suggest themselves, without de'parting from the. spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and thedescription herein are purely illustrative, and are not intended to bein any sense limiting.

- What I claim is 1. In apparatus of the class described, thecombination of means for receiving and dumping potatoes and neighboringmaterials dug up therewith including soil, turf, vines and heaviersubstances such as rocks,

and means receiving said potatoes and some.

of said materials from the first named means and co-acting therewith inseparating'the potatoes from: all said. materials including hea viersubstances. such as rocks too large to be separated from the potatoes byscreening.

2. In apparatus of the class described,

the comb1nat1on of means for receiving and dumping potatoes andneighborlng materials dug up therewith including soil, turf,

vines and heavier substances such as rocks, and means receiving-saidpotatoes and some of said materials from the first named means andco-acting therewith in separating the potatoes and the rocks inseparabletherefrom .by screening from substantially all the other materials andsubstances, and forfinally separating the potatoes from said rocks.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forreceiving and dumping potatoes and neighboring materials dug uptherewith including soil, turf, vines and heavier substances such asrocks, a potato receptacle, and means interposed therebetween forreceiving said potatoes and some of said materials from the first namedmeans and co-acting therewith in separating the potatoes and the rocksinseparable therefrom by screening from substantially all the othermaterials and for finally separating the potatoes from the said rocksand delivering the potatoes into said receptacle.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of meansarranged to receive potatoes and neighboring materials dug up therewithincluding earth, rocks,-tur fs and vines, comprising a classifyingconveyor having drop sections in which the potatoes and materials arecollected and partially separated, and a second conveyerand separatormember arranged to receive potatoes v and materials from said dropsections and to.

- tial separation thereof, a receptacle, and 1- effect a further;separation of rocks and potatoes. I A p 1 5. In apparatus of "the classdescribed, the

combination of means-arranged to receive, potatoes andneighboring-materials dug up:

therewith including rocks, and effect a'parmeans betwee'n'the said.receiving andv partial separating means and sald receptacle forseparating the potatoes trom the rocks too large "to be' screenedtherefrom anddelivering the potatoesinto the, receptacle.

' as rocks too large to bescreened from the potatoes, and effect (apartial separation separating means and thelgreceptacle'ffor .6. Inapparatus. of. the character described, the combination. ofmeansarranged toreceive potatoes and neighboring mateeifect a partialseparation thereof, a receptacle for receivingthe potatoes, and anendless conveyer and) separator member interposedbetween said receivingand partial separating means and said receptacle 'for- -potatoes fromthe .transverse; conveyer and separator member, andmechanism' for.o'perating the said conveying 'devices.:.

separating potatoes from the rocks and de-' livering thepotatoesintosaid receptacle.

-7. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination of means arranged to receive potatoes and neighboringmaterials dug up therewith including heavy substances such arrangedbetween said receiving andSpartial separating the potatoes fl'pmzthrocks and delivering them into'said receptac1e',-- 8. In apparatus ofthe class described,the

combination of means-arranged to receive potatoes and. neighboringmaterials dug up therewith includingv rocks and effect a partialseparation thereof, acollecting receptacle, and means arranged betweenthe initial receiving and;partial' separating means and the receptacleforseparating the potatoes from the rocks and delivering the potatoesinto the receptacle substantially free of rocks irrespective ofthe sizeof the rocks which ma rocks a'nd'eflect ap'artial separation thereof, areceptacle for receiving the potatoes, v and means interposed betweensaid initial receiving and separating mechanism and said receptacle forseparating the'potatoes ranged, to receive potatoes with neighboringmaterials dug up therewith including earth, turf, vines and heaviersubstancessuch as y have been received with the potatoes.

= 9. In apparatus of scribed, the combination of means arranged toreceive potatoes and neighboring mates rials dug up therewithincluding-earth,- turfs, vines and heavier substances such as I the jcharacter derocks and to dump them, a transverse con-' veyer andseparator member arranged at the rear of the machine for receiving thepotatoes ,and heavy material such as rocks from the endless conveyer, areceptaclebeyond the end of the transverserconveyer and separator memberfor receiving the potatoes,a de- 'flector between the'transverseconveyer and separator member and the receptacle for,deflecting the rocks, and means for: operating the said conveyingdevices.

v, 11 ."I'n apparatus of the classdescribed,

the combination of anendless conveyer as :m'aterials ,dug up therewithincluding earth,

' ranged to receive'potatoes with neighboring a v so turf, -v1nesandrheavier substancessuch-as 1 rocks, and having aserles of dumpingsections, a transverseconveyer and separator member-for receiving thepotatoes and heavy *materialsuch as rocks from thesaidsections andpartially separating the potatoes from such heavy material, meansforcollecting the 12. In apparatus of the character described, thecombination of mechanism comprising a series of dumpingysections havingmeans for supporting vinesfand permittingscribed, the combination ofmechanism comprising a series of-dumping sections having means forsupporting vinesand permittin the separation of-the potatoes, rocks an10.5 I turfs therefrom and the collection of the j potatoes, rocks andturfs'in said sections,

means carried by said sections for causing partial separation of thepotatoes fromthe rocks-and turfs, a receiving and discharge mechanismfor the potatoes and rocks operating to maintain them substantially inclassified order, andmeans fo effecting the dumping of said sectionswhereby said potatoes, rocks .and turfs. are delivered to': saidreceiving and discharge mechanism.

14'. In apparatus of the character described, the combination ofaconveyerhav ing dumping sections provided with means for engaging rocksand when the sections are dumped tending toretain them, means vfor.delivering potatoes, turf, vines and{- heavier substances such as rocksto the said. sectlons, means for collectlng the potatoes as they aredumped, and mechanism for opeIYatin the said 'conveyen;

15. n. apparatus ot v the character de-,'- scribed, the combination of aconveyer having dumping sections provided with grids arranged at oneside of said sections forenarating fine material from gaging and tendingto retain rocks and seppotatoes, means for delivering the potatoes,turf, vines and heavier substances such as rocks to the said sections,means ,for collecting the potatoes as they are dumped, and mechanism foroperating the said conveyer;

16.111 apparatus of the character described, the combination of aconveyer having dumping'sections provided With grids for engaging andtending to retain rocks and separating fine material from potatoes,means for delivering the potatoes, turf, vines and heavier substancessuch as rocks to the said sections, .means for collecting the potatoesas they are dumped, and mechanism for operating the said conveyer.

1 7. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of atransverse conveyer and separator member, an endless conveyer arrangedto rocks to said transverse conveyerv and separator member and providedwith dumping sections delivering above said transverse whereby.

conveyer and separator member, the rocks are mainly delivered andaccumulated along one side of said transverse conveyer and separatormember and the potatoes bound, roll to and mainly accumulate along theother side of said transverse conveyer and separator member, and meansfor collecting the potatoes from the transverse iv /ponveyer'fandseparator.

the character de- 18. In apparatus of plurality of scribed, thecombination of a dumping sections connected together in end-- lessseries, means carried by said sections for conveying vines rearwardlyand permitting the separation of potatoes and rocks therefrom, and meansfor dumping the sec- I tions at a predetermined point. Y

19. In apparatus of' the character described, the combination of aplurality of togetherin endless series, means carried by said sectionsfor conveying vines rearwardly and permitting the separation of potatoesand rocks therefrom, separate means carried by said sec- "tions foreffecting partial separation of the potatoes and rocks, and means fordumping the sections at a predetermined point.

""20. In apparatus of the -'character des'cribed, the combination of aplurality of dumping sections connected together in endless series,means earned by said sections for conveying vines 'rearwardly andpermitting the separation of potatoes and rocks therefrom, separatemeans carried by said sections for effecting partial separation ofpotatoes and rocks, -means for dumping the sectionsat a predeterminedpomt, and an endless receiving member! for conveying" away theclassified rocks-and potatoes.

21. In apparatus deliver potatoes andof the-class described,

the combination of a plurality of dumping for dumping the sectionssuccessively for delivering separated potatoes and material such asrocks onto said endless receiving member and maintaining the potatoessepa rate from the saidmaterial, and a receiving device for saidpotatoes.

22. In apparatus of the character de scribed, arranged to receivepotatoes and neighboring materials dug up therewith including earth,rocks and vines, the combination of a conveyer and separator member forthe partially classified materials and potatoes, means for partiallyclassifiying the potatoes, rocks and vines and discharging the vines atthe rear of the apparatus and delivering the potatoes-and rocks insubstantially classified arrangement to said conveyer and separatormember.

28. In apparatus of the character described, arranged to receivepotatoes and neighboring materials dug up therewith including earth,stones and vines, the combination of a conveyer and separator member forthe classifiedmaterial and potatoes, mechanism arranged for assisting inclassitying the potatoes, stones and vines, discharging the vines at therear of the apparatus and delivering the potatoes and stones insubstantially classified arrangement to said conveyer and separatormember, and means cooperating With said conveyer and separator memberfor maintaining the classified material and potatoes thereon.

24. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of aconveyer and separator member, means for dumping potatoes and rocksthereon, said member having a downwardly inclined delivery end forcausing the potatoes to roll off rapidly and be delivered at a distancefrom the end oi the conveyer While the rocks fall close to the end ofthe -same, and means for receiving the potatoes so delivered.

25. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of aconveyer and separator member arranged to receive potatoes and materialsuch as rocks and composed of U-shaped bars, means for dumping potatoesand rocks thereon, whereby the rocks are caused to be held and deliveredclose to the end of the conveyer While the potatoes Will fall at agreater distance from i the same, and meansfor collecting the pota-.delivery end for causing the potatoes to roll of]? rapidly and bedelivered at a distance from the end of the convever While which therocks are accumulated.

the stones fall close to the end of the same," and a deflectorcooperating with the inclined delivery end of said conveyer andseparator member for directing the potatoes to one side and the stonesto the other side thereof.

27. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of aconveyer and separator member, an endless conveyer arranged to deliverpotatoes and material such as rocks to said conveyer and separator mem;her and provided with dumping sections-delivering above the conveyer andseparator member, whereby said rocks are mainly delivered andaccumulated along one side of this conveyer and separator member and thepotatoes bound and roll to the other side of said conveyer and separatormember, a deflector having a section for deflecting the potatoesarranged near the end of that side of said conveyer and separator.member Where the potatoes are accumulated, and a section for deflectingthe rocks arranged more remotely from the endof that side of saidconveyer and separator member on 28. In apparatus of the classdescribed, 1 the combination of a conveyer and partial classifier forreceivin potatoes and material to be classifiedlinclu ing' stones, meansfor collecting potatoes at the delivery end of the said conveyer, and astone deflecting plate mounted near the delivery end'of said conveyerand'movable to permit the passage of large stones between the conveyer.

29. Inapparatus of the class described, the combination of a conveyerand-partial classifier for receiving potatoes and material to beseparated therefrom including stones, L-shaped deflecting plates forpotatoes and for stones at the delivery end of said con veyer arrangedto leave a greater space at the end of the conveyerforthe passage of thestones than for the passage of the potatoes, and means for collectingthe-potatoes.

30. In apparatus of the character de-' plate and the-f scribed, thecombination-of conveying and separating mechanism arranged to receivepotatoes and'material to be separated therefrom including stones, areceptacle for receiving, the potatoes from said' conveying *andseparating mechanism, and a deflector device interposed between saidmechanism" and said receptacle .for guiding the-potatoes into saidreceptacle and for deflecting the said material outside thereof.

31. In apparatus of the character described, the combination ofconveyingand separating mechanism arrangedto receive potatoes andlmaterial to beseparated therefrom ncluding stones,- a receptacleifor re ceiving thep0tflt0eS= fTOIH said conveying and separatingmechanism, and a deflectordex'ice interposedbetween said mechanism scribed, the combination ofconveying and separating mechanism arranged to receive v potatoes andmaterial to be separated there-q from including stones, a receptaclefor're-- 5* ceiving the potatoes from said conveying and separatingmechanism, a deflector de vice interposed between said mechanism andsaid'receptacle for guiding the potatoes into said receptacle and fordischarging the said material outside thereof, and grids arranged abovesaid receptacle for catching stones.

33. In apparatus of the character de-.

scribed, the combination of a conveyer and partial classifier arrangedto receive potatoes and material to be separated therefromincludingstones, and means for deflecting and collecting the potatoes asthey fall from the, delivery end of said conveyer and ineluding opposinggrids adapted-to arrest and catch stones.

34. In an apparatus of the classdescribed,--

thecombination of means arranged to receivepotatoes and neighboringmaterials dug up therewith including earth, turf, vines and heaviersubstances such as rocks,

comprising a classifying conveyer to receive said potatoes and materialsand efl'ect a parand potatoes from the vines, said conveyer having dropsections in which the potatoes and materials are collected, a conveyerand separator member arranged to receive potatoes and material from saiddrop sections boring materials dug up therewith includtial separationthereof, particularly the rocks ing stones, earth and vines andcomprising devices for supporting the-vines" and permitting theseparation therefrom of' the potatoes, ,,.eai th and stones and a seriesof dumping sections. arranged to collect the potatoes and stones, aconveyer and separator member arranged below theconveying mechanism forreceiving the stones andp'otatoes as they are dumped and deliveringthem, means for dumping said sections, and

means for separately collecting stones and potatoes delivered by saidconveying and separator member. .v

115 nism arranged to recei' ve potatoes and neigh- 36. In apparatus ofthe character described, the combination or means arranged to receivepotatoes and neighboring materials dug up therewith including heavysubstances such as rocks, and to screen the materials and partiallyseparate the potatoes therefrom, the said means including a series ofdumping sections for collecting. the potatoes and rocks, a conveyor andseparator member for receiving the potatoes and rocks from the sectionswhen they are dumped and operating to completely separate the po--tatoes from the rocks, and means for collecting the potatoes separatefrom the rocks as they'are delivered by said conveyer and separatormember.

37. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a conveyerand separator member arranged to receive potatoes and rocks and toseparate the potatoes from the rocks, and a deflector ar'anged at'thedischarge end of said conveyor and separator member arranged to deflectthe potatoes on one side thereof and to deflect the rocks on the otherside of the said deflector.

38: In apparatus of the class described, the combination with acollector for potatoes, of mechanism for receiving potatoes andneighboring material's dug up there with, including soil, turf, vinesand heavier substances, such as rocks, separating the potatoes from saidneighboring materials and delivering them to said collector, saidmechanism'including means for permitting the potatoes and neighboringmaterials to drop under gravity action and then be arrested, wherebypartial classification of the po tatoes and neighboring materials thusallowed to drop is effected owing to the difference in specific gravityand resiliency of the potatoes and neighboring materials, and additionalmeans extending from said arrester to a, point adjacent said'collectorand adapted to project the potatoes and neighboring materials intospace, whereby owing to the resiliency ofthe potatoes they are directedinto said collector whereas the remaining neighboring materials,including rocks, being less resilient and heavier, either or both, fallbetween said collector and said last described means.

39. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of acollectorfor potatoes, a final separator for potatoes and other materials whichmay be dug up therewith, the delivery end of said final separator beingspaced from the collector and disposed so as to discharge the potatoesand other materials into space and to direct the potatoes into saidcollector owing to their greater resiliency, whereas the heavier andless resilient materials drop down between the deliveryend of said finalseparator and the collector, and means for receiving potatoes with,including soil, turf, vines and heavier substances, such as rocks,partially separating the same and conveying them to a point abovesaidfinal separator and then allowing the potatoes and some of the othermaterials to descend under th'e'action of gravity on to said finalseparator, a partial classification taking place in said descent of thematerials owing to the difference in the specific gravity and resiliencybetween the potatoes and other materials.

40. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forreceiving and conveying potatoes and neighboring materials dug uptherewith, includingsoil, turf, vines and heavier substances such asrocks, said means being constructed to efiect a' substantial separationof the vines *from the potatoes and other substances and to deliver thevines at the rear end of the apparatus and to allow batches of potatoesand other materials at a predetermined point to drop under the action ofgravity thereby efl'ecting partial classification of the potatoes andothermaterials due to the diiierence in specific gravity and resiliencybetween the potatoes and other materials dropping therewith, and meansfor arresting the fall of said potatoes and other materials anddirecting the potatoes and heav- 'ier substances, such asrocks, toward ade posed so that when the potatoes leave its delivery end, owing to-th eresiliency of the potatoes, they are discharged a greater distance fromsaid delivery end than the rocks to effect final classification of thepotatoes and rocks. a

41. Iii-apparatus of the class described, the combination of a collectorfor potatoes,

and'mechanism for receiving potatoes and der gravity act-ion therebyefi'ecting partial classification; owing to the differences in reslhencyand specific gravity between the potatoes and. other materials, andmeans for arresting the fall of said potatoes and other materials anddirecting the potatoes and heavier substances such as rocks toward saidcollector, the delivery end of said last described means being arrangedat a distance fromsair" collect r so as to deliver the potatoes andheavier substances into space and to direct the potatoes into thecollector because of the greater resiliency of the potatoes as. c0mparedwith the heavier substances, Whereas said heavier substances fall thecollector and delivery mechagravity to eflect a further separationthereof, and means for arresting the descent of said potatoes and othermaterials and d1- recting the potatoes and rocks toward said collectorand projecting them toward said collector, the said means beingcorrelated and disposed relative to said collector, whereby owing'to thegreater resiliency of the potatoes than the rocks, the potatoes aredirected into said collector, whereas the rocks fall at one sidethereof.

43. In apparatus of .the class described, the combination of a collectorfor potatoes, means for receiving and "partially classifying potatoesand neighboring materials dug up therewith, including soil, turf, vinesand heavier substances, such as rocks, and for dumpingpotatoes and someof the said materials, including rocks, that they maybe acted upon bygravity to effect a separation thereof; and means for arresting thedescent of said potatoes and rocks,'directing them toward said collectorand projecting them into space, the end of said last described meansadjacent said collector being so disgreater resiliency of-the potatoesthan the of means whereby the free end of each seccertain-poiltitjofdischarge spaces are opened posed relative thereto that because of therocks, the potatoes are caused to-be"'pro- 45 jected into said collectorwhereas the rocks drop at one side thereof. r

44. In a potato harvestenthe combination with 'an endless travelingconveyer forpotatoes and other materials dug up therewith includingvines, said conveyor being made up of sections pivoted at one end,

tion in turn is separated from the adjacent section sufliciently topermit discharge of the potatoes while the vines are retained.

45. In a potato harvester, the combination of an endless travelingconveyer for"pota-' toes and other materials dug up therewith including,yines, and means whereby at a throughth'e-conyeyer large enough topermit the passage .o'ffithe potatoes while the vines are retained.

46.1 In a potato'harvester, the combination ;6 5y- .;of asupportingf-raine, an endless traveling conveyer, for potatoes and othermaterials dug up there-with including vine ,,,means whereby at a certainpoint of, ischarge spaces .are' opened through the conveyer of anendless conveyer composed of sections adapted .to carry on their topsthe vines an'dcoarse material dug up with the potatoes and havingpockets or recesses at alower level in which the potatoes accumu late,and means for discharging the potatoes from said pockets before reachingthe end of the conveyer.

48. In a potato harvester, the combination of. a frame, an endlessconveyer thereon with, points of support for carrying the vines andpockets below the level of said.

points of support'in which the potatoes accumulate, and means fordischarging the potatoes. from said pockets beforereaching the endof theconveyer.

49. In a potato harvester, the combination of'a frame, an endlessconveyer carried by said frame and made up .of pivoted conveyer sectionsadapted to carry the vines on their tops, said sections having pocketsat a lower level in which the potatoes accumulate, and means fordropping the ends of said sections and discharging said pocketsbeforereaching the end of said conveyer.

50. In a potato harvester, a conveyer 'mecha'nism including an endless"series of dumping sections adapted to receive 'potatoes, stones, vinesand turf-from a digging appliance, each said.v dumpingnsection whenl inpgsition-"aloiig its uppermost run to re ceive said potatoes, stones,vines and turf,

having a portion arranged at an inclination to. -the horizontal topermit the potatoes -to means for causing the dumping of said sectionsat a predetermined point in their travel, whereby the potatoes arecollected in said sections and delivered therefrom through said conveyerat said predetermined .point and said vines'are supported oii topceiving pockets for the potatoes.

52. In a potato harvester, the combination of an endless carr1er,a seres ofarticulate roll to the then lower end thereof, and p sectionsconnected ivith, and movable relative to said carrier, and a supportarranged in a plane beloiv' and substantially parallel to the upper runof said carrier and operating to support said sections during move.-ment' therealong to form a series of receiving pockets for the potatoes,the support terminating at a predetermined point and permittingdischarge of the potatoes from said sections. I

53. In a potato harvester, the combination of an endless conveyercomprising sections arranged to receive the potatoes and dump thembefore reaching the upper end of the upper run of said conveyer, andmeans for engaging and holding the vines above the sections of theconveyer to permit the'collection of the potatoes therein.

54. In a potato harvester, the combination of an endless conveyer havingdumping sections arranged to receive the potatoes and dump them betweenthe enes of the upper run of the conveyer, the conveyer being providedwith means for engaging and conveying the vines irrespective of thedumping of the potatoes.

5 5. In a potato harvester, the combination of an endless elevatingconveyer having dumping sections arranged to receive the potatoes anddump them before reaching the upper end of the upper run of saidconveyer and upwardly extending fingers for engaging and conveying vinesover the upper end of said conveyer.

56. In a potato harvester, the combination of an endless elevatingconveyer having dumping sections, means for effecting the I dumping ofthe sections before they arrive at the head of the conveyer, and meansfor carrying vines over the head of the conveyer. 57 In a potatoharvester, the combination of an endless conveyer composed ofselfdischarging sections adapted to carry on their tops the vines andcoarse material and having pockets or recesses at a lower level in whichpotatoes accumulate, and means for preventing the discharge of saidsections until they have reached a predetermined point.

of a digging appliance for scooping up from the groundpotatoes andneighboring materials including-soil, vines, turfs and solid bodies suchas rocks, means for receiving said potatoes and materials from thedigglng appliance and for separating from the potathe ground )Qtzli;()(iS and'neighboring ma- 58. In a potato harvester, the combinationharvester, the combinatioii side thereof,

terials including soil, turfs and splid bodies such as rocks, means forreceiving the potatoes and materials from the digging appliance and forseparating, from the potatoes part of the materials including the loosesoil, and additional means utilizing the differences in the resiliencyand specific gravity of the potatoes and the remaining materials forseparating from the potatoes the re1naining materials including bodiesof a size inseparable from the potatoes by screening.

(50. In a potato harvester, the combination of adigging appliance forscooping up from the ground potatoes and neighboring materials includingsoil, vines, turfs and solid bodies such as rocks, a potato collector,means for receiving the potatoes and mate rials from the diggingappliance and for separating from the potatoes part of the materialsincluding the vines, and additional means utilizing the differences inthe resiliency and specific gravity of the potatoes and the othermaterials for separating from the potatoes the remaining materialsincluding bodies of a size inseparable from the potatoes by screeningand for-delivering the separated potatoes into the said collector.

' 61.. In a potato harvester, the combination of a digging appliance forscooping up from the ground potatoes and neighboring materials includingsoil, vines, turfs and solid bodies such as rocks, a potato collector,means for receiving said potatoes and materials from thediggingappliance and for separating front the potatoes part of thematerials including the vines, and additional means utilizing thedifferences in the resiliency and specific gravity of the potatoes andthe remaining materials to project the potatoes and remaining materialsthrough space in different paths and cause the potatoes to enter thesaid collector and the said materials to fall at one side thereof.

62. In a potato harvester, the combination of a digging appliance forscooping up from the ground potatoes and neighboring materials includingsoil, vines, turfs and solid bodies such as rocks, a potato collector,means for receiying said potatoes and materials from the diggingappliance and for separating from the potatoes part of the materialsincluding thevines, and additional means comprising a plurality ofconveyers one of which discharges the potatoes and the a remainingmaterials upon the other conveyer so as to utilize the differences inthe resiliency and specific gravity of the potatoes and the remainingmaterials for partially separating the same, the last named conveyerutilizing the said differences in resiliency 2 and specific gravity todischarge the partially separated potatoes and materials in differentpaths that the potatoes enter the collectoravhfile the said materialsfall at one 63. In a potato harvester, the combination of a diggingappliance for scooping up from prising means for separating anddischarging the loose soil, means for separating and discharging thevines, and means utilizing the differences in the resiliency andspecific gravity of the potatoes and remaining ma- Gopies of thin patentmay be obtained for terials'for separating from the potatoes theremaining materials including bodies of a size lnseparable from thepotatoes by screen- I ing and for delivering the separated potatoes intothe said collector.

In testimony whereof I afii'x my signature, in the presence of twoWitnesses.

EDWVARD P. KENDALL.

Witnesses:

ALBERT HENDERSON, ALTON C. SM-AL'L.

five cents each, by addressing the"0ommissloner o! intento. Washington,D. 0.

